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to govern。 And when Antipater had said this to them； he himself
settled the affairs of this country。
2。 And seeing that Hyrcanus was of a slow and slothful temper； he
made Phasaelus； his eldest son； governor of Jerusalem； and of the
places that were about it； but committed Galilee to Herod； his
next son； who was then a very young man； for he was but fifteen
years of age （14） But that youth of his was no impediment to him；
but as he was a youth of great mind； he presently met with an
opportunity of signalizing his courage； for finding that there
was one Hezekiah； a captain of a band of robbers； who overran the
neighboring parts of Syria with a great troop of them； he seized
him and slew him； as well as a great number of the other robbers
that were with him； for which action he was greatly beloved by
the Syrians； for when they were very desirous to have their
country freed from this nest of robbers； he purged it of them。 So
they sung songs in his commendation in their villages and cities；
as having procured them peace； and the secure enjoyment of their
possessions； and on this account it was that he became known to
Sextus Caesar； who was a relation of the great Caesar； and was
now president of Syria。 Now Phasaetus； Herod's brother； was moved
with emulation at his actions； and envied the fame be had thereby
gotten； and became ambitious not to be behindhand with him in
deserving it。 So he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem bear him
the greatest good…will while he held the city himself； but did
neither manage its affairs improperly； nor abuse his authority
therein。 This conduct procured from the nation to Antipater such
respect as is due to kings； and such honors as he might partake
of if he were an absolute lord of the country。 Yet did not this
splendor of his； as frequently happens； in the least diminish in
him that kindness and fidelity which he owed to Hyrcanus。
3。 But now the principal men among the Jews； when they saw
Antipater and his sons to grow so much in the good…will the
nation bare to them； and in the revenues which they received out
of Judea； and out of Hyrcanus's own wealth； they became
ill…disposed to him； for indeed Antipater had contracted a
friendship with the Roman emperors； and when he had prevailed
with Hyrcanus to send them money； he took it to himself； and
purloined the present intended； and sent it as if it were his
own； and not Hyrcanus's gift to them。 Hyrcanus heard of this his
management； but took no care about it； nay； he rather was very
glad of it。 But the chief men of the Jews were therefore in fear；
because they saw that Herod was a violent and bold man； and very
desirous of acting tyrannically； so they came to Hyrcanus； and
now accused Antipater openly； and said to him； 〃How long wilt
thou be quiet under such actions as are now done？ Or dost thou
not see that Antipater and his sons have already seized upon the
government； and that it is only the name of a king which is given
thee？ But do not thou suffer these things to be hidden from thee；
nor do thou think to escape danger by being so careless of
thyself and of thy kingdom； for Antipater and his sons are not
now stewards of thine affairs： do not thou deceive thyself with
such a notion； they are evidently absolute lords； for Herod；
Antipater's son； hath slain Hezekiah； and those that were with
him； and hath thereby transgressed our law； which hath forbidden
to slay any man； even though he were a wicked man； unless he had
been first condemned to suffer death by the Sanhedrim （15） yet
hath he been so insolent as to do this； and that without any
authority from thee。〃
4。 Upon Hyrcanus hearing this； he complied with them。 The mothers
also of those that had been slain by Herod raised his
indignation； for those women continued every day in the temple；
persuading the king and the people that Herod might undergo a
trial before the Sanhedrim for what he had done。 Hyrcanus was so
moved by these complaints； that he summoned Herod to come to his
trial for what was charged upon him。 Accordingly he came； but his
father had persuaded him to come not like a private man； but with
a guard； for the security of his person； and that when he had
settled the affairs of Galilee in the best manner he could for
his own advantage； he should come to his trial； but still with a
body of men sufficient for his security on his journey； yet so
that he should not come with so great a force as might look like
terrifying Hyrcanus； but still such a one as might not expose him
naked and unguarded ＇to his enemies。＇ However； Sextus Caesar；
president of Syria； wrote to Hyrcanus； and desired him to clear
Herod； and dismiss him at his trial； and threatened him
beforehand if he did not do it。 Which epistle of his was the
occasion of Hyrcanus delivering Herod from suffering any harm
from the Sanhedrim； for he loved him as his own son。 But when
Herod stood before the Sanhedrim； with his body of men about him；
he aftrighted them all； and no one of his former accusers durst
after that bring any charge against him； but there was a deep
silence； and nobody knew what was to be done。 When affairs stood
thus； one whose name was Sameas； （16） a righteous man he was； and
for that reason above all fear； rose up； and said； 〃O you that
are assessors with me； and O thou that art our king； I neither
have ever myself known such a case； nor do I suppose that any one
of you can name its parallel； that one who is called to take his
trial by us ever stood in such a manner before us； but every one；
whosoever he be； that comes to be tried by this Sanhedrim；
presents himself in a submissive manner； and like one that is in
fear of himself； and that endeavors to move us to compassion；
with his hair dishevelled； and in a black and mourning garment：
but this admirable man Herod； who is accused of murder； and
called to answer so heavy an accusation； stands here clothed in
purple； and with the hair of his head finely trimmed； and with
his armed men about him； that if we shall condemn him by our law；
he may slay us； and by overbearing justice may himself escape
death。 Yet do not I make this complaint against Herod himself； he
is to be sure more concerned for himself than for the laws； but
my complaint is against yourselves； and your king； who gave him a
license so to do。 However； take you notice； that God is great；
and that this very man； whom you are going to absolve and
dismiss； for the sake of Hyrcanus； will one day punish both you
and your king himself also。〃 Nor did Sameas mistake in any part
of this prediction； for when Herod had received the kingdom； he
slew all the members of this Sanhedrim； and Hyrcanus himself
also； excepting Sameas； for he had a great honor for him on
account of his righteousness； and because； when the city was
afterward besieged by Herod and Sosius； he persuaded the people
to admit Herod into it； and told them that for their sins they
would not be able to escape his hands： … which things will be
related by us in their proper places。
5。 But when Hyrcanus saw that the members of the Sanhedrim were
ready to pronounce the sentence of death upon Herod； he put off
the trial to another day； and sent privately to Herod； and
advised him to fly out of the city； for that by this means he
might escape。 So he retired to Damascus； as though he fled from
the king； and when he had been with Sextus Caesar； and had put
his own affairs in a sure posture； he resolved to do thus； that
in case he were again summoned before the Sanhedrim to take his
trial； he would not obey that summons。 Hereupon the members of
the Sanhedrim had great indignation at this posture of affairs；
and endeavored to persuade Hyrcanus that all these things were
against him； which state of matters he was not ignorant of； but
his temper was so unmanly； and so foolish； that he was able to do
nothing at all。 But when Sextus had made Herod general of the
army of Celesyria； for he sold him that post for money； Hyrcanus
was in fear lest Herod should make war upon him； nor was the
effect of what he feared long in coming upon him； for Herod came
and brought an army along with him to fight with Hyrcanus； as
being angry at the trial he bad been summoned to undergo before
the Sanhedrim； but his father Antipater； and his brother
＇Phasaelus＇； met him； and hindered him from assaulting Jerusalem。
They also pacified his vehement temper； and persuaded him to do
no overt action； but only to affright them with threatenings； and
to proceed no further against one who had given him the dignity
he had： they also desired him not only to be angry that he was
summoned； and obliged to come to his trial； but to remember
withal how he was dismissed without condemnation； and how he
ought to give Hyrcanus thanks for the same； and that he was not
to regard only what was disagreeable to him； and be unthankful
for his deliverance。 So they desired him to consider； that since
it is God that turns the scales of war； there is great
uncertainty in the issue of battles； and that therefore he ought
of to expect the victory when he should fight with his king； and
him that had supported him； and bestowed many benefits upon him；
and had done nothing